The Taoiseach has once again been called to retract comments he made over homelessness in Ireland.

Mr Leo Varadkar claimed Ireland has a low rate of homelessness by international standards.

Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin Ó Broin TD called on the Taoiseach to withdraw the comments which were also "hurtful to those who are or have experienced homelessness".

-- Advertisement --

Mr Ó Broin said: "The idea that homelessness is a result of 'bad behaviour' displays a set of values from a Victorian era that I thought was long gone.

"The truth is they are victims of a housing crisis and a government who have presided over a 300% increase in family homeless since taking office in 2011.

"The most disturbing set of comments this week however were from the Taoiseach. We have all seen the report the Taoiseach spin office used to base his claims on.

"There is not a shred of evidence in that 2017 OECD report that allows the Taoiseach to make the claim that our levels of homelessness are low by international standards.

"On that basis I think the Taoiseach should withdraw his comments."

(CD/MH)